Means for increasing the strength of sheet-metal articles



Aug. I4, 1928. 1,680,504

H.\z. CUTLER ANS FOR INCREASING 'THE STRENGTH 0F SHEET ETA'B'ARTICLES1-j11ea Nov. 23. 1923 2 Sneets-sneet 1 INYENTO/f l n 4W l .arromvfrsAug. l14, 1928. Y 1,680,504

H. z. cuTLER IEANS FOR INCREASING THE' STRENGTH OF SHEEl' HET-ALARTI-CLES Filed Nenas, V1923 `2 sh`ts-sneez 2 fmur; Z,

w/ TNESS @Y TTQRN-ys Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

NUNITED `STATES iarsoiI PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN Z. CUTLER, 0F CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

Application fixed November 23, 1923. serial No. 676,513'.

My invention relates to means for making articles formed into variousshapes out of sheet metal strong, rigidv and' relatively inflexible, andmore particularly relatesV to means for imparting greatY strength andrigidity to such articles as fenders,mudguards and running-boards .ofautomobiles.

In Vthe manufacture of sheet metal articles, such as fenders, mudguardsand runningboards of' automobiles` it has been common practiceheretofore to `bend the free edges of the. article over and around aWire or rod to make the completed article stiffer and more inflexible.But suchy rods or Wires are al-` ways of relatively small diameter andfail to impart to the article sufficient strength or rigidity to preventit from bending or crumpling when the car on which the article is usedcollides even gently with a rigid objec lVhenever a mud-guard or fenderof the kind above described strikes against a wall Iof'a. garage ora'side of a door of a. garage,V

for example, the fender will be bent and crumpledand will absolutelyfail to-prevent the body of the car from being struck or injured.` A

It is the objectof my invention to so increase the strength and rigidityof sheet metal articles such as are above referred to that the fender orrunningfboardwill not bender cruinple in the case of'a'sl'ight collisionand which will ybe so strong and rigidV that it substantially forms abumper which, will protect the car in the case of or more Seriouscollision.

Al further object of'my invention is to provide reinforcing Vmeans onthe. free edges of fenders and runningfboards ofI such a nature as t0protect the car in such a way .as to provide a convenient mode ofattaching the same tothe chassis or body of the car.

\ A further object of my invention is to provide the free edgesofmud-guards and fcnders with stiff tubes made of sheet metalrigidlysecured to such fice edges and when desired` filled withconcrete, plaster of Paris or any;V other suitable ceinentitiousmaterial.

A further object of my invention is to provide the freeedges or marginsof the running-boards and fenders with a tecting tube rigid-ly, attachedthereto in such a manner as to improve the appearance of the article onwhich the tube is secured.

Other objects offmy invention will appear inthe specification and claimsbelow.

rEhe form.r of "my invention as hereinafter` a violent" strong pro-Vdescribed, comprises a running-board disposed between and connecting thefront and rear fenders, to form an integral guard structure, eachhaving' their free edges protecte'd by substantially cylindricalreinforcements whose edge flanges overlap the margins of the guardmembers and afford a continuous reinforcement and protector for the freeedge Vof said guard structure; said cylindrical reinforcements affordingtubular sockets arranged to receive the studs of supporting brackets orVconnecting dowels.

My invention also includes all of the various novel features ofconstruction and arrangement specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a motor vehicle having a runningboardand fenders comprising, conveniently embodying my invention g Fig. 2'.is

in Fig. l;

F igf. 3 is a fragmentary detailed perspective view showing theadjacentA ends of the forward fender and running-boards slightlyseparated'for convenience of illustration;

'Figk 4' is a' fragmentary transverse sectional view in perspectiveshowing in detail the means of attachment of the preferred embodiment ofthereinforcing protector as applied to the guard structure;

Fig'. 5 is a front elevational View of the forward fender showing themeans of its attachment to the chassis;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevational. view showing the means ofits attachment to the chassis;

Fig. 7 is V.aV fragmentary sectional elevational view showing the dowclconnecting the reinforcing protector of the runningboard and rearfender;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view sliowing the front fender`running-board and chassis.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view showing the ,structure depicted inFig. 8; and i Figs. 10,11, l2, 13V and 114 are fragmentaryytrai'ie'verse views in perspective, showing various-,modifications ofthe structure illustrated in` Fig. et.

In'said iigures the motor vehicle comprises the bodyl, wheels 2 and 3and the chassis 5 from which extends the bracket 6 supporting the frontwheel guard or fender 7 the g the integral guard structure, and

an enlarged fragmentary per-- spective view lof the guard. structureshown as hereinafter more definitelyl adjacent ends brackets 8supporting the running-board 9; and the bracket 10 supporting the rearwheel guard or fender 11.

As shown in the drawings the front and rear fenders 7 and 11, and theruiming board 9 are preferably formed of sheet metal, the free edges ofwhich are provided with a protective reinforcement, which, as best shownin Fig. 4, may be formed of relatively stiff sheet metal tubing 13,shaped to conform to the shape of the edge of the fenders andrunning-board and having longitudinally extending fins or flanges andlformed by the plane margins of said sheet metal reinforcement; andadapted to under-lap the outer free margin 17 of the running-board 9 andto serve, not only to provide convenient means by which the tubing maybe secured to said running-board (as by spot welding 19 or any othersuitable means) but also to provide strength and rigidity to the wholestructure. The web forming the tubular protector, may preferably befolded in a'variety of ways to form a re-entrant longitudinally extendedslot, pocket or recess Q0, into which tliedownwardly dipped offsetextreme outer edge margin 21 interlocks.

lt may be here noted that although I have described the protectivereinforcement shown in Fig. 4, as applied to the running-board 9, it isto be understood that the same structure applies to the front and rearfenders as well, the tubing being bent to conform to the shape of thefree edges thereof.

The inner edge margins of the forward fenders 7, the running-board 9,and the rear fender 11 are turned normal thereto and provide the flanges23, 24 and 25 respectively which facilitate the fitting of said parts tothe chassis 5, and the adjacent ends of the fender 7 and running board 9are provided with depending flanges 26 and 27 respectively. which havealined bolt holes Q8 and 29 through which bolts or rivets may be eX-tended to secure said parts together in integral relation, to form theguard structure. Similarly, the adjacent ends of the runningboard 9 andthe fender 11 are provided with depending flanges 31 and 32 which havethe alined bolt holes 33 and 34 through which bolts or rivets mayextend.

The adjacent ends of the protective reinforcement of the forward fender7 and ruiming board 9 conveniently provide tubular sockets 36 and 37 forthe reception of the dowel pin 38 shown in Fig. 3, and the of saidprotective reinforcement of the rear fender 11 and runningiaard 9conveniently provide tubular sockets 4() and 41 for the reception of thedowel pin 4:2, which is angular, see Fig. 7, owing to the fact that therear fender 11 joins the running-board 9 in substantially normalrelation, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and

the cylindrical portion of said protector may be mitered to lit as shownin said gures.

The pins 38 and 42 may be rigidly se cured to one or both of the socketsin which each pin is fitted by spot welding or brazing.

As best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the forward terminal of the tubularportion of the protector 13 of the forward lender, affords a socket 43arranged to receive the rigid stud 44 of the supporting bracket G, andas shown in Figs. 1 and G the rearward terminal of said protector 0f therear fender 11 affords a socket 45 arranged to receive the .stud 4G ofthe fender supporting bracket 10. These studs 44 and 46 may be spotwelded or brazed in the ends of the tubing 13.

In the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 10 the reinforcingprotector is formed ol'y .sheet metal shaped into a tube 50 having itsmargin 51 folded to form a longitudinal pocket f for the reception ofthe downwardly offset outwardly extended extreme edge margin 53 of thefender or runningboard structure 54, and extended inwardly beneath saidfender or running-board and secured thereto,.preferably by spot weldingto provide reinforcement therefor.

ln the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 11 the reinforcingprotector is formed of sheet metal shaped into a tube G0 having one ofits margins 61 folded upwardly and outwardly to interlock with thedownwardly and inwardly folded edge margin G2 of the fender orrunning-board structure 63, while the other margin G4 of said protectoris extended inwardly beneath said fender or running board and securedthereto by spot welding 65.

In ther form of my invention as shown in Fig. 12 the reinforcementprotector is formed of sheet metal shaped into an open sided tube 7 0and through the slot 71 formed by the open side, the downwardly curlededge margin 7 2 of the guard structure 73 extends. Said curled edgemargin 72 may be embedded in any suitable filling, such as cement orconcrete 74 which may lill said tube and rigidly secure said guard andprotector together.

In the form of m. invention as shown in Fig. 13, the rein orcementprotector is formed of sheet metalshaped into a tube having its uppermargin 81 folded upwardly and outwardly in interlocked relation with thedownwardly and inwardly folded margin 82 of the guard structure 83,while the lower margin abuts against the lower surface of theinterlocking fold being secured by the spot welding 84.

In the form of my invention as shown in Fig. 14 the protector is formedinto a tube 90 having its upper margin 91 extended inwardly and foldeddownwardly and outwardly in interlocked relation with the downwardlyoffset, upwardly and inwardly lflfl Y rgewai y folded edge margin 99 ofthe ard structure 93 `and secured in interloc ed relation by spotWelding 94, While the lower edge margin 95 has its edge abutted againstthe under surface of the upper margin, fforward of said foldedinterlock;y p

- As shown in F i s. 10 to let inclusive, the tubular Vportion o? theprotectoris' preferably filled with any suitable cement, such asconcrete, Portland cementor plaster of Paris 74 which serves togreatlystrengthen and stifen the fender and running-board structure andsubstantially forms a" protective bumper on the sides of the car and" atthe ends of the fenders.

In my invention the forwardl andrear-v Ward fenders and interposedrunning-board may be readily assembled to" form arigid unitary structurehaving a substantially continuous tubing at the edge thereof which notonly strengthens and Stifens the structure, but affords convenient'meansfor attaching the fenders and runnin and to each other. he marginaltubing also imparts a pleasing finish to the fenders.

In making my improved fenders and running-board, the free offset edge ofthe member is inserted into the longitudinal'slot of the tubing'andthelaterally extending flange or margin of the tubing. is" rigidlysecured to the fenderV or running-board by rivets or by lap Welding.,Portland cement, plaster of Paris, concrete or any other plastic cementmay then be forced into the tube from one end thereof until the entiretube is filled with the-cement. Then a pin or rod may be inserted in theends of the tubing which are adapted to be secured to the brackets 6 andlO'to form the socket for the reception of the free ends of the bracketsand similarly, the dowel pins 48 and 40 may be inserted in one end ofthe fenders respectively. Similarly, the tubing is secured to the freeedge of the running-board and the cement or plaster of Paris is forcedtherein.

The parts may then be assembled and placed on the chassis in the mannerabove described and if desired the brackets 6 and 10 and the doWel pins38 and 42 may be spot Welded to the tubing. s

I do not desire to limit my invention to the precise details ofconstruction and arrangement as herein set forth, as it is obvious thatvarious modifications may be made therein Without departing from theessential features of my invention as defined in the appended claims.l

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In av device of the class described the combination with a guardstructure, of a protector for the edge thereof7 formed of sheet materialshaped to form a rigid metal reinforcing tube having a longitudinallydisposed portion folded to provide a pocket to -board to the chassis,

receive the free edge of said guard structure and extended to underlapsaid guard struc# ture and rigidly secured thereto;

2. A continuous rigid protector for the free edge of the fenders andrunning-board of a vdliicle, comprising a stiff sheet-metal tube havingits Wall Yfolded to form a repocket extending over the entire free edgeof t" said' fenders and running-board toreinforce the same.

4. A continuous rigid protector for the free edge of the fenders andrunning-board,

constitutingthe guard structure of a ve hicle, con-iprising a tubehaving formed in its Wall are-'entrant' recess extending the ful-llength of said tube and into which the entire free margin of" said guardstructure is tightly fitted', make rigid the entire guard structure.

5. A continuous rigid sheet metal protector for the free edge ofthefender and running-board, constituting the guard structure of avehicle', comprising its Wall folded to embrace the free margin of' theguard structure tudinal fin extending in underlapped relation to saidguard structure and rigidly secured to said guard structure to affordreinforcement therefor.

6. In adevice of the class described, thecombination with the fendersand runningboard constituting the guard structure of a vehicle and guardsupporting brackets therefor, of a tubular member shaped fromsheet-metal and conforming to the shape of the free edge of saidstructure and affording terminal sockets arranged to receive saidbrackets and having a recess in which said free edge of said guardstructure is rigidly secured.

said tube being operative to fr" a hollow bar having and having alongi-V 7. In a device of the class described, the i combination with afront fender, a rear fender and a running board comprising the guardstructure of a vehicle, of sheet metal tubes shaped longitudinally toconform to the free edges of said spectively and rigidly securedthereto, guard supporting brackets respectively adjacent the front endof the front fender and vthe rear end of the rear fender, said bracketsfitting respectively into the adjacent ends of said tube, and doWel pinstightly tted into said tubes between the running board and the fendersto join the adjacent ends of said tubes and to provide a rigid protectorfor said guard structure. y

8. A rigid protector for the free turned under edge of a guard structureof a vefenders and board re` hicle, comprising a sheet metal tubeproviding a hollow bar having a longitudinal lin or web and folded overand united to the edge of said guard structure in a loekseani joint.

V9. A device of the class described, comprising a rigid protector forthe free edge of the guard structure of a Vehicle, said rigid protectorcomprising a sheet metal tube shaped longitudinally to conform to theshape of the tree edge of the guard structure ,and provided with alongitudinally extending fold forming a reeessinto which the free edgeof the said guard strueture projects and snugly tits, and Ymeans torigidly secure said'tube to said guard structure.

10. A rigid protector for the free edge of the guard structure of avehicle, comprising a sheet metal tube shaped longitudinally to conformto the shape of the free edge of said guard structure, and having alongitudinally extending recess therein into which the free edge of saidguard structure extends and is'enclosed, said tube being lilled withcement. i y

11. ln a device of the class described, the combination with a guardstructure, of a protector for the edge thereof, formed of metallic sheetmaterial, shaped into a rigid reinforcing tube having a longitudinallydisposed portion thereof folded to provide a pocket to receive the freeedge of, said guard structure and extended to underlap said guard.structure and rigidly secured thereto, said tube being filled lwithcement.

12. wIn a device of the class described, the combination with a guardstructureA of an automobile, a continuous rigid protector for the freeedge of said guard structure, comprising a metallic tube having its wallfolded to provide a: reentrant pocket into which the free edge ,of saidguard structure is inserted and interlocked, said pocket substantiallyextendlng over the entire free edge of said guard structure to reinforcethe same and rigidly secured thereto, said tube being filled withcement.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with a fenderand runningboard constituting the guard structure of a vehicle and guardsupporting brackets therefor, ot' a tube shaped from sheet metal andconforming long tudinally to the shape of the free edge ot said having arecess into which the free edge of said guard structure projects, saidtube bcing filledr with cement and spot-welded to said guard structure.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this lstday of November.1923.

y v HERMAN Z. CUTLER.

guard structure and

